Also known as: Omar Abdulkadir Artan · Somali referee Omar Artan
Somali referee named 2025 Confederation of African Football referee of the year, denied US entry for 2026 World Cup but appointed to UEFA Super Cup.
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The Standard
Audio By VocalizeSomalian referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan gestures during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 group D football match on January 23, 2024. [AFP] Somali referee Omar Artan said the "biggest dream of my life" had been ripped away after he was denied entry to the Unite …
Somali referee says World Cup 'dream' ruinedThe Standard
… But the refusal of US immigration authorities to allow Somali referee Omar Artan, one of Africa's leading match officials, into the country underlined fears that US President Donald Trump's immigration policy could leave deep scars on the tournament."I hope that the issues around …
UN calls for US immigration 're-think' for World CupThe Standard
Audio By VocalizeSomalian referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan gestures during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 group D football match between Mauritania and Algeria at Stade de la Paix in Bouake on January 23, 2024. …
FIFA boss Infantino says case of Somali referee 'unfortunate'The Standard
… But the refusal of US immigration authorities to allow Somali referee Omar Artan, one of Africa's leading match officials, into the country underlined fears that Donald Trump's immigration policy could leave deep scars on the football extravaganza.Artan insisted he had the correc …
FIFA boss Infantino faces questions on eve of World CupCitizen Digital
Somalia backs referee after US entry denial By AFP June 09, 2026 06:38 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Referee Omar Artan who has made history as the first Somalian to be selected to officiate at the World …
Somalia backs referee after US entry denialThe Standard
Audio By Vocalize Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan has been dropped from officiating at the World Cup after being barred from entering the United States, world football's governing body FIFA said on Monday.A FIFA spokesperson confirmed in a statement that Artan, who was re …
Somali referee axed from World Cup after being denied entry to USThe Standard
Audio By VocalizeSomalia has defended its referee Omar Artan after he was denied entry to the United States, preventing him from becoming the first Somali official to officiate at a World Cup finals. …
Somalia backs referee's 'integrity', pledges 'unwavering support'Citizen Digital
Somali referee denied entry to US for World Cup By AFP June 08, 2026 09:50 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Referee Omar Artan who has made history as the first Somalian to be selected to officiate at the Wo …
Somali referee denied entry to US for World CupThe World Cup, hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, launched Thursday with Mexico taking on South Africa, featuring 48 teams and projected to generate $13 billion in total revenue. The tournament has faced criticism over high ticket prices and visa issues affecting a top referee, Iranian team officials, and fans seeking entry to the United States.
11 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The World Cup, hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, launched Thursday with Mexico taking on South Africa, featuring 48 teams and projected to generate $13 billion in total revenue. The tournament has faced criticism over high ticket prices and visa issues affecting a top referee, Iranian team officials, and fans seeking entry to the United States.
11 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Omar Artan, a Somali referee who was denied entry to the United States for the World Cup, has been appointed by UEFA to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup on August 12 in Salzburg, Austria. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin praised Artan as an excellent and experienced referee who has proven himself at the highest level of African football competition.
11 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
IOC President Kirsty Coventry said she was confident for the successful hosting of the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles despite describing "challenges" for the World Cup, which kicks off on Thursday and is co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.
11 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
UEFA appointed Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa on August 12 in Salzburg, Austria. Artan was previously denied entry to the United States for the World Cup, and UEFA's appointment was announced as part of a cooperation accord with the African confederation.
11 June 2026 · The Standard →
The 48-team World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, begins Thursday with Mexico facing South Africa; FIFA projects record $13 billion in revenue but faces criticism over ticket prices topping $30,000 and visa denials affecting referees, officials, and fans trying to enter the US.
11 June 2026 · The Standard →
UN rights chief Volker Turk called on the United States to reconsider its immigration practices ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada, after US authorities barred Somali referee Omar Artan and others from entering the country, raising concerns about racial profiling affecting the tournament.
10 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is set to hold a rare press conference in Mexico City on the eve of the 2026 World Cup, facing tough questions about sky-high ticket prices and a US immigration crackdown that has barred a top African referee, fans, and team officials from entering the country.
10 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Somali referee Omar Artan, selected as the first Somali to officiate at the World Cup finals, was barred from entering the United States and returned to Mogadishu, where he pledged to participate in the next World Cup in 2030 despite the rejection.
10 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The head of the White House Task Force for the World Cup defended the decision not to grant visas to a Somali referee and some Iranian team support staff. A US State Department official said the referee was "associated with suspected members of terrorist organizations," making him ineligible for US entry.
10 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Somalia's government expressed "deep regret" after award-winning referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States and barred from officiating at the World Cup finals. The US State Department said Artan was "associated with suspected members of terrorist organisations," making him ineligible for admission.
10 June 2026 · The Standard →
Somali referee Omar Artan, named referee of the year in 2025 by the Confederation of African Football, was denied entry to the United States and dropped from FIFA's World Cup officials list. A US State Department official said Artan was "associated with suspected members of terrorist organizations," and Somalia is on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump's administration.
10 June 2026 · The Standard →
UN rights chief Volker Turk called on the United States to reconsider its immigration practices ahead of the World Cup co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, citing cases where fans, a top referee, and team officials were barred from entry. Turk warned that US President Trump's immigration policy could harm the tournament and called for an end to racial profiling and the dehumanization of migrants.
10 June 2026 · The Standard →
FIFA president Gianni Infantino described as "unfortunate" the case of Somali referee Omar Artan, who was refused entry to the United States at Miami International Airport. The US State Department said Artan was "associated with suspected members of terrorist organizations," making him ineligible for admission.
10 June 2026 · The Standard →
FIFA President Gianni Infantino will hold a rare press conference in Mexico City ahead of the 2026 World Cup, where he is expected to face questions about ticket prices and US immigration restrictions that have barred a top African referee, fans and team officials from entering the country.
10 June 2026 · The Standard →
Somalia's Ministry of Sports expressed "deep regret" after referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States on Saturday, preventing him from becoming the first Somali official to officiate at a World Cup finals. The US Customs and Border Protection said he was denied entry following a routine inspection, despite diplomatic engagement between Somalia, FIFA, and US authorities.
9 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
FIFA confirmed that award-winning Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry to the United States and will not officiate at the 2026 World Cup. Had he participated, Artan would have been the first Somali to referee at a World Cup; FIFA said it has no authority over host-country immigration decisions.
9 June 2026 · The Standard →
Somalia's Ministry of Sports expressed "deep regret" after award-winning referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States, preventing him from becoming the first Somali official to officiate at a World Cup finals. The government reaffirmed "unwavering support" for Artan, expressing full confidence in his integrity and professionalism, though diplomatic efforts with US authorities and FIFA did not achieve a positive outcome.
9 June 2026 · The Standard →
Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan, selected as the first from his country to officiate at World Cup finals, was denied entry to the United States at Miami International Airport. Somalia is on a travel ban list under President Donald Trump's administration, though Artan held a valid US visa.
8 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →